Pandemic Preparation
A pandemic flu event is not the same thing as the common annual flu season. Unlike the typical flu, a pandemic flu has the potential to cause widespread illness and even death around the world. Such an event would be expected to overwhelm our health care systems, and to have potentially catastrophic effects on business, commerce and travel on a worldwide level. Because of this, our Government’s health agencies have asked corporations and businesses to make special plans to prepare for a pandemic.
What is a pandemic? Are we at risk?
A pandemic refers to a worldwide outbreak of a new strain of flu virus that infects millions around the world. Because the virus is new, very few have resistance to it, and the disease spreads rapidly. Most research suggests that the source of a new pandemic may likely be a mutated version of a current influenza virus. The influenza virus continues to evolve, and has shown to be resistant to certain antiviral medication. The most recent outbreak of new influenza strains occurred as recently as April 2009, when a new strain of swine flu led to more than 70,000 cases across the globe.
Potential impact on workforce
A pandemic flu outbreak must also be measured in terms of severity of the virus. The CDC takes into consideration factors such as the severity of symptoms and mortality rate of confirmed cases when rating a pandemic flu strain. In a strain with a high severity rating, it is estimated that around 20% to 60% of our overall workforce will be affected. Businesses in general could expect each employee who contracts the flu to be out of work for at least 2 to 4 weeks. In addition, it is predicted that a significant death rate would result in permanent loss of skilled manpower.
Did You Know?
During the past 500 years of recorded history, pandemics have occurred three times every century.
